Frontmezzjunkies reports: Danny Robins’ Olivier-nominated ghost story sets its sights on NYC’s Lucille Lortel Theatre
By Ross
I’ve confessed this before, but apparently it bears repeating. I have a complicated relationship with a good scary ghost story. I love the mystery, the atmosphere, and that creeping suspicion that something in the room might be terribly wrong. I also know my imagination can make an already unnerving experience considerably worse. When I saw Danny Robins’ 2:22 – A Ghost Story in London in 2022, I found myself watching the neon red clock with mounting dread while scanning the room for whatever might be waiting to make me jump. And now, apparently, I’m ready to do it all over again.
The Olivier Award-nominated thriller is making its New York premiere Off-Broadway at the Lucille Lortel Theatre in the West Village for a strictly limited 13-week engagement. Previews begin October 20, with opening night on November 5 and performances scheduled through January 17, 2027. I’m hoping to get a ticket this fall, although I can’t promise my nerves have improved since my last encounter with this ghost.
Jenny believes her newly renovated home is haunted. Her husband, Sam, is a scientist who refuses to believe anything supernatural is happening. At a housewarming dinner with their old friend Lauren and Lauren’s new partner, Ben, the conversation turns into an alcohol-fuelled debate about ghosts. When Jenny explains that something seems to happen at the same time every night, the four agree to stay awake until 2:22 a.m. to discover the truth.
What I enjoyed about Robins’ play in London was the way it kept me guessing, drawing me into its puzzle while giving my imagination plenty of room to run wild. The slow-building paranoia got under my skin, and I’m curious to see how this New York production handles it.
The cast features Jasmine Cephas Jones (Broadway’s Hamilton) as Jenny, Finn Jones (“Game of Thrones“) as Sam in his New York stage debut, Anna Camp (Broadway’ in’s Equus) reprising her role as Lauren, and Martin Marquez (“Heartstopper“) as Ben. Directed by Matthew Dunster and Gabriel Vega Weissman, the production arrives with a creative team that includes set designer Anna Fleischle, lighting designer Lucy Carter, sound designer Ian Dickinson for Autograph Sound, and illusion designer Chris Fisher. That last credit has caught my attention. I’m already wondering what tricks this production has up its sleeve, and whether I’ll be too busy watching the clock to spot them.
Since its 2021 West End premiere, 2:22 – A Ghost Story has played seven West End engagements, toured the UK twice, and reached more than 30 productions worldwide. It received an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play and won the WhatsOnStage Award in that category. Now it’s heading to the Lucille Lortel Theatre, and I’m hoping to be in the audience this fall. I’ve already spent an evening watching that red clock, trying to outsmart a ghost story that was busy outsmarting me. Apparently, one round wasn’t enough. If I make it to 2:22 a.m. without regretting my ticket, I’ll consider the evening a success.
